⛱️ Where in Thailand is dry in April: 28 °C sea and short showers

April in Thailand is the hottest month of the year. During the day the air heats up to its limit, and at night there is almost no relief. A vacation this month comes with one caveat: the weather depends heavily on the region, and you need to choose your destination more carefully than in winter.

If your vacation falls in April, keep the main point in mind. Air temperatures stay around 33-38 °C, sea water is 28-30 °C (as of 09/2026, Thailand climate). At the same time, the transition to the rainy season begins. Showers are short, usually in the afternoon, and they don't cool things down.

The short answer: for dry beaches and warm sea in April, head to Koh Samui and Pattaya. On Phuket the rainy season is already starting, but showers there are brief. Go north for the mountains and temples, not for the beaches. Below we break down the weather by region, give figures with sources, and suggest what to pack.

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April in Thailand: heat and changing seasons

💡 In short:

Mid-April: the year's peak heat, daytime 33-38 °C and water 28-30 °C (as of 09/2026, April averages).
Songkran, the Thai New Year, runs from April 13 to 15 and is a public holiday (as of 09/2026, Songkran).
Rain showers are short and mostly in the afternoon, then sun and heat return.
Climate data: checked on 09/15/2026 on the Thailand climate page.

April closes out the dry season and opens the door to the monsoon. The sun sits almost directly overhead, so the air and sea warm to their annual maximum.

Rain is still rare but already intense (Thailand climate normals). A downpour starts in the afternoon, lasts 30-60 minutes, and ends just as abruptly. The temperature doesn't drop. Humidity, however, rises, and the heat feels heavier than the thermometer suggests. Plan excursions for the morning and leave the beach for the second half of the day.

North: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and smog

During the day, the north gets just as hot as Bangkok, but nights here are cooler. In Chiang Mai, daytime temperatures climb to 36-38 °C, while at night they drop to 22-24 °C (as of 09/2026, Chiang Mai weather in April). The heat here is drier than on the coast, so evenings are pleasantly cool.

Wooden library of Buddhist manuscripts in Chiang Mai

The main problem in the north: smog. From February through April, vegetation is burned in the mountains and fields, and smoke accumulates in the basins between mountain ranges (as of 09/2026, fire season in Southeast Asia). In March and early April, PM2.5 levels stay several times above WHO standards. The first heavy downpours arrive with Songkran and wash the smoke away, and by the end of the month the air usually clears up.

If you're heading north for trekking, schedule your hike for the second half of April. Bring an N95 mask even in the dry season: on smoggy days it makes breathing noticeably easier.

Who it's for: temples, markets, mountain trails, and Thai cuisine.
Not for: beach vacations and trips with kids on heavy smog days.
Where to stay: Chiang Mai hotels on Trip.com.

Andaman coast: Phuket, Krabi, and Phi Phi

On the Andaman coast, the rainy season begins in April, but downpours are still short. Phuket gets about 120-150 mm of precipitation per month, most often in the afternoon (as of 09/2026, Phuket rainfall in April). The sea is warm year-round, around 29-30 °C in April.

Waves only arrive with the May monsoon, so April remains a calm month for swimming and diving. Beaches are open, and underwater visibility is good.

Choose your hotel based on which side of the island you prefer. Western beaches (Patong, Kata, Karon) are lively with developed infrastructure, while eastern ones are quieter. Krabi has the same conditions, but fewer people, and the cliffs and lagoons look more impressive.

Who it's for: beaches, diving, island excursions.
Not for: those who don't handle high humidity well.
Where to stay: Phuket hotels on Trip.com.

Gulf of Thailand: Samui, Phangan, and Tao

The Gulf islands run on the opposite schedule. On Samui, Phangan, and Tao, the rainy season falls in October-December, and April closes out the dry season. Daytime temperatures reach 31-33 °C, nights stay around 26-27 °C, and the water is 29-30 °C (as of 09/2026, Samui weather in April).

Herd of wild elephants in a meadow in Thailand

Rain in April is rare and mostly falls at night. It doesn't interfere with beach time. The sea is calm, with no strong waves. Songkran is celebrated more gently here than in Bangkok. If you're looking for a quiet beach and warm water, choose Maenam, Bophut, or the south of Samui. Chaweng is considered the island's loudest party beach.

Who it's for: quiet beach time and snorkeling.
Not for: nightlife lovers and big-city fans.
Where to stay: Samui hotels on Trip.com.

Pattaya and the eastern coast

Pattaya in April is drier than Phuket. The month brings about 60-80 mm of rain, and most of it falls at night or in the morning (as of 09/2026, rain in Pattaya). Daytime temperatures are 31-33 °C, water 29-30 °C.

Pattaya Bay with boats, view from the lookout

The beaches here are urban: loungers, cafes, and shops are steps away. Swimming is comfortable, and in the evening the city shifts to restaurants and bars. For a short trip, this is a convenient option, with no island transfers needed.

Who it's for: a short transfer from Bangkok and city infrastructure.
Where to stay: Pattaya hotels on Trip.com.

Bangkok: the hottest city in the country

Bangkok breaks temperature records in April. Daytime air heats up to 35-37 °C, and at night it barely cools, staying at 27-28 °C. Monthly rainfall is about 85-90 mm (as of 09/2026, Bangkok weather in April).

Golden roofs and spires of Wat Phra Kaeo

From April 13 to 15, the city shuts down for Songkran. Streets turn into one big water fight, and government offices and some museums are closed (as of 09/2026, Thai New Year). Transport is packed during these days, and hotels are booked well in advance. If you want quiet, move your city plans to the second half of the month.

For temples and markets, go early in the morning. By midday the heat becomes oppressive, and it's worth taking shelter in a shopping mall or by a pool.

Who it's for: food, markets, temples, and city life.
Not for: relaxed walks during Songkran.
Where to stay: Bangkok hotels on Trip.com.

What to pack in April

Pack light cotton and linen clothing; synthetics cling to your body in this humidity. Bring sandals, a swimsuit, and high-SPF sunscreen. A hat and sunglasses are not a luxury, they're a necessity.

A raincoat will be more useful than an umbrella: downpours are short, but the wind breaks umbrellas. A light cover-up fits in a backpack, and a DEET repellent will protect you from mosquitoes. Buy bottled water, and it's also better to skip the ice in street drinks.

Leave extra time for getting around. Between islands, weather sometimes delays ferries, and rushing won't help. If you're watching your budget, check out our guide to affordable travel in Thailand.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Thailand in April?

Yes, the sea is warm all month: water stays around 28-30 °C (as of 09/2026, water temperature in April). On the Andaman coast, swimming is comfortable until late April, then the monsoon brings waves. Strong storms are rare in April, so beach time is not off the table. Around the Gulf of Thailand islands, the water is calmer.

Where does it rain the least in April?

Pattaya gets the least rain: about 60-80 mm per month (as of 09/2026, regional rainfall norms). The Gulf islands stay dry: Samui, Phangan, and Tao. Phuket and Krabi are already entering the rainy season, but downpours there are short. For beaches, the east coast or the gulf is the better choice.

Is it worth going to Thailand for Songkran?

It depends on your plans. From April 13 to 15, the streets turn into a water fight (as of 09/2026, the holiday in April). If you want quiet, move your trip to the second half of the month.

Is the smog in the north dangerous in April?

Yes, it is the main catch of the north at the end of the dry season. PM2.5 levels exceed WHO limits (as of 09/2026, the smog problem). If you have sensitive lungs, wear a mask, and put off long walks.

How is April different from March?

April is hotter and noticeably more humid. Daytime highs in Bangkok and the north reach 35-38 °C, and rainfall increases toward the end of the month (as of 09/2026, month comparison). March is drier, but April is when the shift toward the monsoon begins. For beaches, the difference is small, but sightseeing is better scheduled for the morning.

In short: what to book

If you are traveling in the first half of April and want a dry beach, go with Samui. If you need minimal rain, look at Pattaya. Save the north for the end of the month, when the smog clears with the rains.

If you need a dry beach: Gulf of Thailand islands.
If you do not like waves: Pattaya.
If you are going for temples and mountains: Chiang Mai after Songkran.
If you want the festival: Bangkok from April 13 to 15.

All figures were checked against Thailand climate data on 15.09.2026. Compare hotels for your dates on Trip.com.

Thailand in April: heat, smog in the north and where it is dry on the beaches